Showing posts with label A Passion Play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Passion Play. Show all posts

8/17/2014

Prog Rock Review: Jethro Tull-A Passion Play- An Extended Performance

Release Date: July 1, 2014
Label: Rhino

The Jethro Tull remasters continue with A Passion Play from 1973. Steven Wilson returns to sit behind the sound board and make his magic happen yet again. This special book edition is subtitled An Extended Performance. Ian Anderson has all the faith and trust in the world for Wilson and with good reason; he has proven to be asset in restoring some of the early Jethro Tull back catalog already.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book includes 80 pages with vintage photos. The expanded edition includes the original album, and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions, both mixed to amazing 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Mr. Wilson.

 
As stated on the band’s website: Like its predecessor, Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play is a concept album with a single song (which was split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife. 

That pretty much sums up the album’s meaning on a conceptual level however the music is another matter entirely.

There was not a good reaction from the press at the time of this album’s release, but as usual they were dead wrong and this went on to be an unheralded prog rock classic and it still stands up quite well today. This is very complex music set to an interesting story (of course). And what would one expect from Ian and the boys anyway? To hear it all again now remastered in 5.1 surround sound is indeed a blessing as it brings out a lot of the original intent more clearly and concisely than the original recording.

The presentation itself is as grand as the recording and as such deserves all of this special treatment. Some great information becomes available throughout the 80 pages of text included with this book version. You get an inside look at the recording process and some of the challenges involved where they did the initial recording session. I won’t go into detail to ruin the experience for anyone that has not purchased this yet, but rest assured it is all very entertaining.

A few tracks in and the realization that Passion Play is a brilliant slice of prog rock hits home with more impact than ever. “Critique Oblique” is a classic prog rock workout reminiscent of its predecessor TAAB. “The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles” I am sure was fun to record but it still sounds very strange to me (and the short film provided is even more so but alas it was theater). It is part of the story so it couldn’t be a track that never made it to the album then reemerge as bonus track. “The Foot of Our Stairs” is a proper return to form, now with the addition of 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel. Things continue on from there with so many transitions it would make any worthy musician or intent listener’s head spin. And to that I say well done lads!

“Magus Perde” is powerful and engaging as it gets. It has some fantastic keyboard passages and the guitar sound is different than usual while standing out very well. Also found on the first DVD and your choice of remastered tracks is the intro and outro film used during the tour. I can imagine many audience members freaking out at the time watching what the ballerina does. Her starting position was laying on her back looking at you with her head upside down and moving her limbs every so slightly for several minutes until finally getting into the position to dance. Then eventually she finds a mirror and jumps into it only to come crashing back through the other side to end the show. I cannot imagine the wow effect it had on the many completely stoned audiences back then.


The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions fills the second discs (CD & DVD) and it is a new Steven Wilson stereo mix that stands out. The DVD with its different surround sound versions includes scrolling pictures of the band as the music plays. A few tracks that never made it on Passion Play but on to War Child are featured in their native form. “Skating Away” and “Solitaire” provide a window into what War Child would become. All of this music was definitely worth revisiting and I think fans will appreciate hearing it. 

The new discovery factor and then the realizations of new sounds 40 years on comes rushing at you proving it is still a big part of what these sets have to offer. After listening to this great music of the past it is reaffirmed that Jethro Tull was a unique band and Ian Anderson’s vocals and all around talent was the core driving force. I plan to continue to enjoy all of this older music coming back to life and the new music on offer from the incredible Mr. Anderson and company.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Critique Oblique (all versions), Magus Perde, Skating Away


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder

August 17, 2014
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk


Tracks: 

CD 1 – A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix):
01. Lifebeats/Prelude
02. The Silver Cord
03. Re-Assuring Tune
04. Memory Bank
05. Best Friends
06. Critique Oblique
07. Forest Dance #1
08. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
09. Forest Dance #2
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs (+ 2 extra verses found on end of multi-track reel)
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer
13. 10.08 to Paddington
14. Magus Perde
15. Epilogue

CD 2 – The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix):

01. The Big Top
02. Scenario
03. Audition
04. Skating Away
05. Sailor
06. No Rehearsal
07. Left Right
08. Solitaire
09. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] 12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] 13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video):

Contains A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo. A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo and video clips of The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles an intro and outro film footage used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.


DVD 2 (Audio only):

Contains The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
In the 80 page book:

* An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the ‘Chateau disaster’ sessions that preceded it.

* Steven Wilson’s thoughts on mixing the recordings.

* Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)

* The Rev’d Godfrey Pilchard’s recollections.

* 1973 tour history.

* Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

 

Prog Rock Review: Jethro Tull-A Passion Play- An Extended Performance

Release Date: July 1, 2014
Label: Rhino

The Jethro Tull remasters continue with A Passion Play from 1973. Steven Wilson returns to sit behind the sound board and make his magic happen yet again. This special book edition is subtitled An Extended Performance. Ian Anderson has all the faith and trust in the world for Wilson and with good reason; he has proven to be asset in restoring some of the early Jethro Tull back catalog already.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book includes 80 pages with vintage photos. The expanded edition includes the original album, and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions, both mixed to amazing 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Mr. Wilson.

 
As stated on the band’s website: Like its predecessor, Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play is a concept album with a single song (which was split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife. 

That pretty much sums up the album’s meaning on a conceptual level however the music is another matter entirely.

There was not a good reaction from the press at the time of this album’s release, but as usual they were dead wrong and this went on to be an unheralded prog rock classic and it still stands up quite well today. This is very complex music set to an interesting story (of course). And what would one expect from Ian and the boys anyway? To hear it all again now remastered in 5.1 surround sound is indeed a blessing as it brings out a lot of the original intent more clearly and concisely than the original recording.

The presentation itself is as grand as the recording and as such deserves all of this special treatment. Some great information becomes available throughout the 80 pages of text included with this book version. You get an inside look at the recording process and some of the challenges involved where they did the initial recording session. I won’t go into detail to ruin the experience for anyone that has not purchased this yet, but rest assured it is all very entertaining.

A few tracks in and the realization that Passion Play is a brilliant slice of prog rock hits home with more impact than ever. “Critique Oblique” is a classic prog rock workout reminiscent of its predecessor TAAB. “The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles” I am sure was fun to record but it still sounds very strange to me (and the short film provided is even more so but alas it was theater). It is part of the story so it couldn’t be a track that never made it to the album then reemerge as bonus track. “The Foot of Our Stairs” is a proper return to form, now with the addition of 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel. Things continue on from there with so many transitions it would make any worthy musician or intent listener’s head spin. And to that I say well done lads!

“Magus Perde” is powerful and engaging as it gets. It has some fantastic keyboard passages and the guitar sound is different than usual while standing out very well. Also found on the first DVD and your choice of remastered tracks is the intro and outro film used during the tour. I can imagine many audience members freaking out at the time watching what the ballerina does. Her starting position was laying on her back looking at you with her head upside down and moving her limbs every so slightly for several minutes until finally getting into the position to dance. Then eventually she finds a mirror and jumps into it only to come crashing back through the other side to end the show. I cannot imagine the wow effect it had on the many completely stoned audiences back then.


The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions fills the second discs (CD & DVD) and it is a new Steven Wilson stereo mix that stands out. The DVD with its different surround sound versions includes scrolling pictures of the band as the music plays. A few tracks that never made it on Passion Play but on to War Child are featured in their native form. “Skating Away” and “Solitaire” provide a window into what War Child would become. All of this music was definitely worth revisiting and I think fans will appreciate hearing it. 

The new discovery factor and then the realizations of new sounds 40 years on comes rushing at you proving it is still a big part of what these sets have to offer. After listening to this great music of the past it is reaffirmed that Jethro Tull was a unique band and Ian Anderson’s vocals and all around talent was the core driving force. I plan to continue to enjoy all of this older music coming back to life and the new music on offer from the incredible Mr. Anderson and company.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Critique Oblique (all versions), Magus Perde, Skating Away

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder

August 17, 2014

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk


Tracks: 

CD 1 – A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix:

01. Lifebeats/Prelude
02. The Silver Cord
03. Re-Assuring Tune
04. Memory Bank
05. Best Friends
06. Critique Oblique
07. Forest Dance #1
08. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
09. Forest Dance #2
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs (+ 2 extra verses found on end of multi-track reel)
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer
13. 10.08 to Paddington
14. Magus Perde
15. Epilogue

CD 2 – The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix:


01. The Big Top
02. Scenario
03. Audition
04. Skating Away
05. Sailor
06. No Rehearsal
07. Left Right
08. Solitaire
09. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] 12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] 13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video):


Contains A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo. A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo and video clips of The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles an intro and outro film footage used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.


DVD 2 (Audio only):

 
Contains The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
In the 80 page book:

* An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the ‘Chateau disaster’ sessions that preceded it.

* Steven Wilson’s thoughts on mixing the recordings.

* Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)

* The Rev’d Godfrey Pilchard’s recollections.

* 1973 tour history.

* Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

 

6/13/2014

JETHRO TULL: A PASSION PLAY (EXTENDED PERFORMANCE) 2CD/2DVD Set, Vinyl, & Digital Download Available July 1


In 1972 Jethro Tull were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed fifth album Thick As A Brick. The question was:  “How do you follow a concept album comprising a single 44-minute piece of music?” The answer was: “With a double album of separate songs of course.”

For the first time in their five year career, Tull went into the studio with an unchanged line-up. Founder member and undisputed leader Ian Anderson was still writing songs on flute, acoustic guitar and now saxophone, and he was again joined by guitarist Martin Barre, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard player John Evans. But which studio to use?

The first criterion was that it had to be abroad. The second criterion was that the studio of choice had to have a good reputation.  The 18th century Château d'Hérouville near Paris had previously been used by Elton John to record Honky Château and by Pink Floyd for Obscured By Clouds. It contained living accommodation as well as studio facilities, and so seemed the ideal choice. What could possibly go wrong?

The choice was a disaster. First up, there were technical problems with the studio itself. Then there was the accommodation... the band all slept in a dormitory, it was very basic which might have been tolerable, had they been the sole occupants of the rooms. Unfortunately, they had unwelcome company, of a bed-bug variety. And then to make matters infinitely worse everybody got food poisoning from the in-house catering.

Unsurprisingly the band decided to go home and the decision was made to ditch the hour or so's worth of music recorded in France. They decided to start from scratch and write a whole new album, instead of trying to somehow regenerate everybody's interest and commitment to something that had already struggled.

And so to A PASSION PLAY, an album that evolved into a 45-minute piece of quasi-prog rock, with complex time-signatures, complex lyrics and, well, complex everything, really. With a mere nine days left in the studio before the next tour, the pressure was on to produce something quickly. The concept explored the notion that choices might still be faced in the afterlife. It recognizes that age-old conflict between good and bad, God and the Devil.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book expanded edition of A PASSION PLAY includes the original album and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions both of which have been mixed to 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

A heavyweight 180-gram vinyl edition featuring the new stereo mix of the original album is also available.

JETHRO TULL
A PASSION PLAY
2CD/2DVD TRACK LISTING

Disc One - A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. Lifebeats /Prelude
2. The Silver Cord          
3. Re-Assuring Tune 
4. Memory Bank          
5. Best Friends                
6. Critique Oblique          
7. Forest Dance #1    
8. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
9. Forest Dance #2          
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs
(2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel have been added back in)    
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer    
13. 10.08 to Paddington    
14. Magus Perde          
15. Epilogue    

Disc Two - The Château d'Hérouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. The Big Top
2. Scenario
3. Audition
4. Skating Away
5. Sailor
6. No Rehearsal
7. Left Right
8. Solitaire
9. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental]
12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental]
13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video)
Contains:
o     A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
o     A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo
o     Video clips of 'The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles' an intro and outro film used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only)
Contains:
o     The Château d'Hérouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound
o     PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.

In the book:

*An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the Château sessions that preceded it.
*Steven Wilson's thoughts on mixing the recordings.
*Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)
*The Rev'd Godfrey Pilchard's recollections.
*1973 tour history
*Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

JETHRO TULL: A PASSION PLAY (EXTENDED PERFORMANCE) 2CD/2DVD Set, Vinyl, & Digital Download Available July 1



In 1972 Jethro Tull were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed fifth album Thick As A Brick. The question was:  “How do you follow a concept album comprising a single 44-minute piece of music?” The answer was: “With a double album of separate songs of course.”

For the first time in their five year career, Tull went into the studio with an unchanged line-up. Founder member and undisputed leader Ian Anderson was still writing songs on flute, acoustic guitar and now saxophone, and he was again joined by guitarist Martin Barre, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard player John Evans. But which studio to use?

The first criterion was that it had to be abroad. The second criterion was that the studio of choice had to have a good reputation.  The 18th century Château d'Hérouville near Paris had previously been used by Elton John to record Honky Château and by Pink Floyd for Obscured By Clouds. It contained living accommodation as well as studio facilities, and so seemed the ideal choice. What could possibly go wrong?

The choice was a disaster. First up, there were technical problems with the studio itself. Then there was the accommodation... the band all slept in a dormitory, it was very basic which might have been tolerable, had they been the sole occupants of the rooms. Unfortunately, they had unwelcome company, of a bed-bug variety. And then to make matters infinitely worse everybody got food poisoning from the in-house catering.

Unsurprisingly the band decided to go home and the decision was made to ditch the hour or so's worth of music recorded in France. They decided to start from scratch and write a whole new album, instead of trying to somehow regenerate everybody's interest and commitment to something that had already struggled.

And so to A PASSION PLAY, an album that evolved into a 45-minute piece of quasi-prog rock, with complex time-signatures, complex lyrics and, well, complex everything, really. With a mere nine days left in the studio before the next tour, the pressure was on to produce something quickly. The concept explored the notion that choices might still be faced in the afterlife. It recognizes that age-old conflict between good and bad, God and the Devil.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book expanded edition of A PASSION PLAY includes the original album and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions both of which have been mixed to 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

A heavyweight 180-gram vinyl edition featuring the new stereo mix of the original album is also available.

JETHRO TULL
A PASSION PLAY
2CD/2DVD TRACK LISTING

Disc One - A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. Lifebeats /Prelude
2. The Silver Cord          
3. Re-Assuring Tune 
4. Memory Bank          
5. Best Friends                
6. Critique Oblique          
7. Forest Dance #1    
8. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
9. Forest Dance #2          
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs
(2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel have been added back in)    
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer    
13. 10.08 to Paddington    
14. Magus Perde          
15. Epilogue    

Disc Two - The Château d'Hérouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. The Big Top
2. Scenario
3. Audition
4. Skating Away
5. Sailor
6. No Rehearsal
7. Left Right
8. Solitaire
9. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental]
12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental]
13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video)
Contains:
o     A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
o     A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo
o     Video clips of 'The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles' an intro and outro film used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only)
Contains:
o     The Château d'Hérouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound
o     PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.

In the book:

*An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the Château sessions that preceded it.
*Steven Wilson's thoughts on mixing the recordings.
*Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)
*The Rev'd Godfrey Pilchard's recollections.
*1973 tour history
*Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.